Walking with family: Greenwich to the Thames Barrier... and beyond

Saturday October 13, 2012.

Myself, Emma, Erin and Uncle Martin decided to take a trip to Greenwich. We took our usual route of the Metropolitan line to Finchley Road, where we changed onto the Jubilee line for the rest of our journey to North Greenwich. It was at this point that we were informed of a 'security incident' at Canary Wharf, meaning that the Jubilee line would terminate at London bridge. 

So, Plan B was quickly formulated; Breakfast at Borough Market, then the Thames Clipper to North Greenwich. This plan then changed back to Plan A, a few minutes later, when the 'incident' was resolved meaning that the train would continue on its merry way. 

Finally arriving at North Greenwich, we made our way into the O2 Arena, where had a coffee and a snack, before heading off to catch the Cable Car across the River Thames. Having an 'Oyster Card' meant no queuing for tickets, so we headed for the lift which would take us to the Departure Deck. The seats on the Emirates Air Line are comfortable and the entire trip lasts about 12 minutes. I took a short video of the first half of our journey, which offered amazing views of Stepney, the Olympic Park, the Thames Barrier to Thamesmead and beyond. 

We then walked around the Royal Victoria Docks towards the Excel centre, which next week will be full of Trekkers, Klingons, Ferengi and other species from around the Galaxy. We then traversed the Pedestrian Bridge at Royal Victoria Dock, in order to take some photographs. Unfortunately, no aeroplanes were taking off from London City Airport, so it was just views of the local cityscape that I could photograph. I did manage to get a shot of MillenniuM Mills, which I had last visited in 1988, when it proved itself as a worthy backdrop for Jean-Michel Jarre's 'Destination Docklands' concert.

From here we headed South onto the North Woolwich Road and into the Thames Barrier Park. This was my first visit to the Thames Barrier, so I took many photographs as I tried to capture the wonder of human achievement against nature. The Thames Barrier is the second largest movable flood barrier in the World and it was opened on May 8th 1984, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

From here we made our way to Pontoon Dock DLR station, where we caught the DLR to Poplar. We changed at Poplar and caught a DLR to Cutty Sark. After exiting the station we headed into Greenwich Market to grab a bite to eat. Eating on the hoof, we headed for the Cutty Sark and took many photos and I bumped into someone from Watford. After a quick chat, we went to buy our tickets, which was perfectly timed as the heavens opened moments later. 

Now, many people have gone on about the 'greenhouse' or 'carbuncle' that now surrounds the World famous Tea Clipper, but I found it added to the Cutty Sark, rather than detracted from her. It also opens up the drydock, so that you get a true sense of the sheer size and scale of this historic vessel. This also allows you to get some unique views and perspectives, for your photographs, that you would never normally get of a ship. 

'Cutty Sark', 2012

Last of the Tea Clippers.

Saturday October 13, 2012.

It was an overcast autumn afternoon, when I visited the Cutty Sark, in Greenwich. This was shortly after she had been rebuilt, following a catastrophic damage caused by a fire during restoration work, in 2007. 

It was a pleasant enough afternoon and, although the crowds were on the large side, they were hardly noticeable in the newly created space around the historic vessel.

Thames Barrier

A great barrier, restrains the mighty river.

Tuesday October 13, 2012.

I had begun to travel further east, rather than staying in the more familiar central and western areas of the Unfinished City. What had made this easier was the newly improved transport links, that included the Jubilee Line, the Emirates Air Line Cable Car, the Docklands Light Railway and the Thames Clipper.

I had taken the Jubilee Line to the Greenwich Peninsula, where I took a flight on the Emirates Air Line and then walked through the Docklands, and Silvertown, before I reached the Thames Barrier Park.

The weather was warm, with just a few clouds bubbling up from the south, as I stared out across the River Thames towards Woolwich, which was when I took this shot.

London Cable Car

Reaching for the Sky.

Saturday October 13, 2012.

I absolutely love travelling across the River Thames, via the London Dangleway, even though it is simpler, and cheaper, to stay on the Jubilee Line and travel below the River Thames.

Sunset from the Dangleway.

The reason for this is the novelty, which still hasn't worn off after countless flights, and the views which are unique. On a clear day you can see The Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf, The Shard, the Olympic Park, the Old Royal Naval College and, if you get your timing right, some spectacular sunsets.

Descending into the London Fog.

Len's 52nd birthday: Green Park to Westminster... and beyond

Saturday September 8, 2012.

It was that time of the year again, when Len, myself and whoever else is free head off to London. Unfortunately, Steve B was at a wedding and Jason had no babysitter, so it was just Len and myself. 

We took our normal train to London but alighted at Green Park, for a change. Our first port-of-call was the newly erected Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. The Memorial recognises the 55,573, airmen from all corners of the Commonwealth, who gave their lives to free Europe from Nazi rule, between 1943-45. Although they are remembered at the memorial at Runnymede and also at St. Clement Dane's church, on Strand, they had never had a dedicated memorial... Until now. And what a memorial! Architect Liam O'Connor has created a masterpiece out of Portland Stone, befitting these heroic airmen. The memorial is open to the sky in a symbolic gesture, so that the sun can shine down on the statues of the seven nine-foot bronze airmen, crafted by Philip Jackson. Around the roof of the memorial are sections of aluminium, salvaged from a Handley Page Halifax bomber that crashed in Belgium. There is also an inscription, on the memorial, that says "also commemorates those of all nations who lost their lives in the bombing of 1939-1945." Both myself and Len were completely gobsmacked by the size and presence of the memorial, so much so that it was a subject that kept coming up in conversation throughout the day. I was so affected by the memorial that, as we walked around London, I began to write a poem about it in my head.

From here we headed down Constitution Hill towards Buckingham Palace, where the crowds were gathered for the changing of the guard. So, with many of the normal routes sealed off for the Paralympics marathon, we made a detour on to Pall Mall, then Waterloo Place and on to Horse Guards Road. 

We walked by the Memorial to the Great War and the memorial to the 202 victims of the Bali bombing in 2002, before heading into Parliament Square. As we approached Westminster Abbey, we found all the tourists. The queue to get into Westminster Abbey were some of the longest lines of people that I have witnessed, for anything. Bypassing the crowds we crossed St. Margaret Street and headed into the Victoria Tower Gardens. We stopped in the shade of the trees overlooking the River Thames, before continuing our jaunt. We exited the gardens and crossed Lambeth Bridge and headed along the South Bank. 

The temperature was still climbing into the high 20s, with barely a breeze in the air, so we slowed our pace slightly. As we reached the old County Hall, we decided to grab a bite to eat, which we ate outside before continuing Eastward. Dodging the milling masses, who were there for the Thames Festival as well as the Paralympics, we walked passed the Jubilee Gardens, where a 1000 strong group of children were playing steel drums. It was an awesome sight and the crowds were really enjoying it. We then passed the Royal Festival Hall before going under Waterloo Bridge. With the tide out on the River Thames, children and adults, were walking and playing on the Thames foreshore, as we approached Gabriel's Wharf. 

With the sun beating down we both decided it might be an idea to get a cold drink and find some shade. And, wouldn't you know it, we were by Doggett's pub. The inside of the pub was cool and remarkably quiet, as many of the patrons were using the various terraces on the upper floors, or sitting outside in the sun. This gave us a chance to sit down and watch a bit of Paralympic wheelchair fencing. Sadly the British man lost to the Chinese guy, but it was still fascinating to watch. We sipped our drinks, to make them last, before heading back out onto the South Bank.